On the Leno side were 30 eloquent voices of fire fighters, scientists, physicians, and health officers representing many thousands of Californians. Opposed to the bill were three speakers who work for the bromine industry front group Citizens for Fire Safety. The main industry argument was there was that new flame retardants (similar in structure and properties to the old ones and lacking any health information) were safe. Why did the bromine industry receive eight of nine committee votes? Could contributions the bromine industry had made to the five Democratic committee members who voted "No" had an influence on their votes?

The Leno bill will be heard for a final vote on reconsideration next Monday, May 2nd. Can we persuade four of the eight Senators who voted "No" to change their minds and support SB147?

Our immediate next step should include calling the Senator's offices to voice our outrage about this vote, and ask their support for next Monday’s final vote. Please call and ask for the staff member whose name follows the office phone number Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Members

Scientific research associates flame retardant chemical exposure in humans with decreased IQ and fertility and with thyroid hormone changes. How can the Senator's justify denying me the CHOICE for furniture and baby products free of these chemicals?

Firefighters, doctors, scientists, health officers, all support SB147. The bromine industry and those who work for them are the opposition. Why is the Senator is voting with the industry and against the well being of our state?

As a member of the Business, Professions and Economic Development committee, I'm appalled that you are denying manufacturers the ability to meet consumer demand for furniture that is fire safe, without toxic or untested flame retardants. By not supporting SB 147, you are stifling CA's green economy, job opportunities since businesses say this bill is good for keeping jobs here

Mark Leno’s SB 147, the Consumer Choice Fire Protection Act, does not ban any chemicals. It gives consumers the choice to buy furniture and baby products that are both fire safe and non-toxic.

SB 147 will restore consumer confidence in products made in and made for California.

Manufacturers will not be forced to put toxic chemicals in their products.

A California flammability label will not be a euphemism for “Warning! Toxic Product!”

There is a sample letter below... Thanks for calling, writing, or best of all visiting Senate offices to ask for the Senator's support for SB 147..

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Here is a sample letter you can edit and send, fax, or email:

Dear Senator:I am outraged at your vote on SB 147 -- your decision denies me the RIGHT to protect my family from chemicals that increase our risk of being injured or killed in a fire, cause cancer, lower IQ scores, and cause developmental and reproductive disorders. More than thirty organizations testified in support of SB 147, including firefighters, doctors, furniture manufacturers, health research scientists, fire scientists, community health groups& environmental groups.

Their in-person expert testimony in our state capitol represented the interests of Californians. Only one infamous Sacramento lobbyist, a chemist from Florida, and one burn doctor from Washington state­-the same people industry has employed for years­-showed up to oppose this measure. They were paid for their travel and time from the chemical industry front group, Citizens for Fire Safety. It is no surprise that the industry making these chemicals would claim their product is “effective” and “safe.” It is surprising, however, that you would take their word over the testimony of University of California scientists, the California Firefighters, the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, furniture and foam manufacturers, and the many other experts and community members who testified in support of SB 147.

As a member of the committee mandated to support jobs and economic development for California, your decision on this bill appalls me. You voted to deny businesses the ability to meet consumer demand for furniture that would a) increase fire safety and b) leave out toxic or untested flame retardant chemicals.

Businesses say that SB 147 will help keep jobs here in California, and grow our economy with greener, safer products. Why are you blocking new technologies and ways of ensuring fire safety that will better protect my family? Why do you support any improvement to our currently ineffective and therefore dangerous standard? Despite your constituents demonstrating clear support for SB 147, and despite the supporting evidence from top experts, you threw your support to the bromine chemical industry that hires no Californians except lobbying firms, and that puts profits above all else. Why do you take the word of the chemical industry rather than scientists, doctors, and firefighters?

I do not want these chemicals in my home. I am outraged that you are forcing proven endocrine disrupting, carcinogenic, reproductive toxins into my home. Fire scientists say these chemicals do not keep me safe from fires. Their harmful health effects have been proven by hundreds of health researchers and doctors.

I urge you to reconsider your vote. Support SB 147. Allow me the RIGHT to increase the odds of my family surviving a home fire. Allow me the RIGHT protect my family from these harmful chemicals.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

My family members and I each called every one of the senators listed below today and asked to have our names added to the roster of people who are IN FAVOR of CA Senate Bill 147 (SB147)passing.

I am forwarding this plea (see below) for action to you from chemistry scientist Arlene Blum. Please read it, call the phone numbers and pass it along to any and all of your email/Facebook/Twitter contacts that you feel will care about this issue enough to take positive action.

This issue is very important to me. It is very important for our own health, the health of our kids and our precious pets. Please help get this bill passed by calling any or all of the phone numbers listed below and ask that they pass Senate Bill 147 to stop the requirement for toxic flame retardants in our furniture and household products in California.

She has been instrumental in getting legislation passed to remove the toxic fire retardants from our children’s pajama products many years ago. I first heard of her in a Los Angeles Times article about her cat dying of hyperthyroid disease likely due to the toxic flame retardants in her furniture. The flame retardants build up in our blood, and in our kids and pets too, causing long term diseases. I have been on a mission to remove all of the toxic chemicals from my own and my family members' homes ever since I found out about this.

I really want those of us who live in CA to be able to purchase non-toxic furniture for our homes, and right now we can’t do that inside CA. My family recently replaced our living room furniture with special, non-toxic furniture from a wonderful manufacturer in Pennsylvania. Let me know if you want their info.

Thank you so much for calling the numbers below and helping to get SB147 passed. It means a lot to me.

We have reached a critical point in our work for California Senate Bill 147 (SB147) to give consumers an alternative to toxic flame retardants in furniture and baby products. This Monday the bill may die at a hearing of the California Senate Business and Professions Committee (B and P). We urgently need you to call State Senate’s offices this week to express your support for SB 147.

The fate of the bill lies in the hands of the Southern California Senators listed below. They need information and your encouragement to overcome chemical industry money and lobbying and vote for SB147. Your calls to these Senate offices could make a significant difference.

Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Members

If you have any health concerns that could be linked to toxics in products, please express them.

There is no fire safety benefit from the current flammability standard.

This committee is the toughest hurdle for SB147 which has a good chance of passing if it can make it through the hearing on Monday. Your calls will help reduce the impact of chemical industry money and influence.

Thanks in advance for your visits, calls and ideas. Ana and I are happy to answer your questions

The Green Science Policy Institute provides unbiased scientific information to government, industry, and non-governmental organizations to facilitate more informed decision-making about chemicals used in consumer products in order to protect health and environment world-wide.